How a court of honor runs
- 1Schedule it — put courts of honor on the annual calendar (often quarterly).
- 2Prepare recognitions — gather the ranks, merit badges, and awards earned since the last one.
- 3Open with a flag ceremony.
- 4Present awards — call scouts forward; families often participate.
- 5Recognize special achievements and thank volunteers.
- 6Close with a meaningful ceremony; celebrate afterward.
Why it matters
- Recognizing scouts' advancement publicly and promptly.
- Involving families in the troop's achievements.
- Inspiring scouts by celebrating milestones, up to Eagle.
Notes
- Standard youth protection applies (adults present, appropriate supervision).
- Recognize promptly and accurately — good records ensure the right scouts are recognized for the right achievements.
- Keep it dignified and inclusive — celebrate every scout's progress, not just the top ranks.
Going deeper
- The celebration end of advancement. The work happens at boards of review; the court of honor is where it's honored in front of everyone.
- Quarterly keeps it fresh. Regular courts of honor mean scouts are recognized soon after earning — not months later.
- The Eagle court of honor. For a new Eagle Scout, the court of honor is the capstone celebration of the trail.
Official source
Troop Leader Resources — Scouting America →Recognition as the final step of advancement is verified. The court-of-honor format and quarterly frequency are common practice, not mandated; confirm current guidance.